Mesa Ridge players allegedly find hateful messages ahead of playoffs

(COLORADO) – The Mesa Ridge High School football team, which was competing in the Class 4A playoffs at Montrose High School over the weekend, allegedly entered the visiting locker room and found the words written in the dust before the game day. dust inappropriate and hateful language. Saturday, November 23.

According to the Montrose County School District (MCSD), the district conducted an investigation and reviewed 24 hours of surveillance footage covering the locker room entrances, which confirmed that the only people who entered or left the area during that time were Mesa Ridge players, staff and the school’s athletic director Montrose High School. No Montrose High School football players were seen in the area.

“Despite the seriousness of these claims, we have agreed on a time and manner to resolve the matter
disturbing,” MCSD wrote. “Mesa Ridge had multiple opportunities to raise this issue with Montrose staff, coaches or the athletic director before, during and immediately after the game. However, no such report has been prepared.”

MCSD said Mesa Ridge notified Montrose High School staff hours after they left Montrose, and the district said “this approach raises questions about the intent and motivation behind the allegations.”

MCSD has also stepped up its investigation to now include Montrose police and said it will work with law enforcement to determine who is responsible for writing hate speech in the locker room.

“While we will not speculate on the source of the hateful language found in the locker room,
the surveillance evidence and circumstances surrounding this claim raise serious doubts about it
it was in any way directed against Mesa Ridge,” MCSD wrote.

FOX21 News reached out to a spokesperson for Widefield School District 3 (WSD3), who released a statement on the incident and said the district is saddened by the impact this unnecessary situation has had on players, coaches and the school community.

“Our players and coaching staff have worked extremely hard to get to this point in the season and clearly deserve a learning and competitive environment free from hate,” said Sam Briggs, director of communications for WSD3. “We are very proud of and stand behind our Mesa Ridge Grizzly football team. We will continue to support Mesa Ridge High School as they deal with this incident.”

Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) as well issued a statement on its website about the event, where you can read in part:

“The Colorado High School Activities Association strongly condemns racism, discrimination and hatred in all forms,” CHSAA said. “We understand that part of our responsibility as adult caregivers of the younger generation is to provide modeling and education where it is needed most. We are deeply committed to supporting our schools in the fight against unacceptable displays like this.”

FOX21 News will continue to follow this developing story and will update this story as we learn more.

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